China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) industry continued its robust expansion in the first nine months of the year, with both production and sales maintaining strong upward momentum, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
Official figures cited by Xinhua News Agency show that NEV production rose by 35.2% year-on-year to 11.24 million units between January and September. Sales during the same period climbed 34.9% to nearly 11.23 million units, accounting for 46.1% of total vehicle sales in the country.
The CAAM attributed the surge to supportive government initiatives, including trade-in programs aimed at replacing older vehicles, the success of local auto shows, and the launch of a wide range of new models across the electric and hybrid segments.
Overall, China’s automotive sector showed solid growth during the first three quarters. Total vehicle production reached 24.33 million units, marking a 13.3% year-on-year increase, while sales grew 12.9% to 24.36 million units. The performance highlights continued resilience in the world’s largest auto market, despite a slowdown in some global economies.
The export performance of China’s auto industry also remained strong. Data from CAAM revealed that automobile exports rose 14.8% compared with the same period last year. In particular, NEV exports surged by 89.4% year-on-year, reaching 1.76 million units — a reflection of China’s growing competitiveness in global electric vehicle markets.
Industry analysts say the sustained momentum underscores China’s accelerating transition toward greener transportation and its leading role in the global shift to electric mobility. With domestic and international demand on the rise, Chinese automakers such as BYD, SAIC, and Geely have continued to expand production capacity and introduce new models to strengthen their market positions.
Experts also note that policy support, technological innovation, and infrastructure improvements — including the rapid expansion of charging networks — have all contributed to the sector’s steady growth.
As China pushes toward its carbon neutrality goals, the NEV sector is expected to remain a major driver of industrial growth. CAAM officials predict that production and sales will continue to rise in the final quarter, supported by seasonal promotions and year-end incentives.
The latest figures reaffirm China’s position as the global leader in new energy vehicle production and sales, setting the stage for further expansion both domestically and abroad.
